Buoyancy apparatus



April 9, 1963 w. w. MCLEAN BUOYANCY APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3. 1959INVENTOE.

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This invention relates to buoyant apparatus adapted to be worn on theperson to provide flotation to the wearer in water. By virtue of thenovel features of this invention and their intrinsic characteristics,exclusive of the common resultant function thereof, some of theembodiments are exclusively suited for females and the other embodimentsto males. In conjunction with the novel ostensible characteristics ofthe buoyant devices of this invention and the structural and operablefeatures thereof, a novel method of providing buoyancy and flotation isprovided and includes improvements in the art.

More particularly, the buoyant devices of this invention are adapted foruse for children where a water hazard exists and in this respect theyare intended to be life-preservers in that they can be convenientlyattached to a child to form a part of their regular accoutrement intheir recreational activities where there is a possibility of theirfalling into a swimming pool, for example, or any deep water. Theincreasing popularity of swimming pools and their increasing numbers,creates an environment that is always potentially dangerous to smallchildren and the onus of care and supervision is no small one to theparents.

The devices of this invention, particularly those adapted for the femalechild, can be worn as a garment, or may form an integral part of theirbathing suits so that a lifepreserver is always with them underconditions Where the need exists. Apart from their use as aprecautionary measure, they offer diverse advantages for childrenindulging in recreational aquatic activities.

One species of this invention can be used to advantage even by thoseadept in water. By means of the novel method of providing buoyancy, asshown herein, one can dive into water without hindrance or injury whilewearing them and they do not hinder swimming, in fact facilitate it, andmoreover, they provide buoyancy and flotation when needed or desired.

It is an object of this invention to provide an eflicient life-preserverfor tots that will not be disdained by them because of bulkiness orinterference and one which can be conveniently worn by them at all timeswhen or where a water hazard exists.

It is an object of this invention to provide an efficient buoyant devicewhich will provide flotation for children in water and which can beconveniently worn over their regular clothes, or worn as a garment, orworn over a bathing suit or as an integral part of the latter.

it is an object of this invention to provide a buoyancy device whichsimulates the familiar Hawaiian hula skirt and one which the femalechild would be pleased to wear.

-It is an object of this invention for the provision of a convenient,buoyant apparatus which will permit the wearer to dive into water withno interference, hindrance or injury and which can be worn by thoseindulging in activities such as Water-skiing, boating and the like,where they may be impelled into the water or otherwise be forced toremain in the water for long periods or be required to swim longdistances.

It is an object to provide a hingable buoyant device which will enablethe wearer to float in water and, alternatively, facilitate swimming.

With the above objects in view, together with others which appear, anunderstanding of this invention may be 3,@34,353 Fatented Apr. 9, 1963had by reference to the following disclosure and specification andaccompanying drawings, to which latter, reference is first made andwherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment which simulates an Hawaiian hula skirt.

FIG. 2 illustrates the action in water of the buoyant shirt of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the buoyant elements of FIGS. 1 and 2and shows the hingable, pivotal action of the element.

FIG. 4 shows the structural detail of the buoyant skirt of FIG. 1.

FiG. 5 shows a method of attaching two layers of buoyant elements to theupper belt section and shows thtir pivotal action.

PEG. 6 shows an alternative method of pivotally connecting two layers ofbuoyant elements to the upper fixed section or belt.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the buoyant device and method adapted for useby males, which device is similarly depended from the Waist anteriorlythereof in the form of a shield.

FIG. 8 is a section through 8'8' of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view in detail of the preferred form of the upperpivotal buoyant devices of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 FIG. 10 shows two of thepivotal, buoyant devices coacting to provide vertical flotation to achild.

FIG. 11 shows one of the devices buoyantly acting from the waist,forwardly thereof.

FIG. 12 shows the device of FIG. 11 flipped downwardly and beingutilized in swimming.

For a detailed description of this invention, reference is further madeto the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like partsthoughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a buoyant skirt which simulates an Hawaiian hula skirt. Itconsists of a multiplicity of hollow, thin-walled, resilient, pliant,flexible, inflatably dilated, hermetically sealed, plastic tubes 1,hingably fixed at the upper end to a Waist engirding band or belt 2 andgravitationally suspended therefrom. The tubes are contiguously arrayedabout the waist as shown in the front view of FIG. 1. The skirt isatlixed to the body by the belt 2 which constricts the waist and isjoined by the buckle 3'.

FIG. 2 shows the resultant buoyant action of the skirt in water. Thetubular elements 1 move in an arc about the hingable position 5 adjacentthe belt 2. All else being equal, the greater the lengths of the tubes1, the greater will be the buoyant, air-confining volume and the morerapidly the wearer will rise to the surface after falling into water,but after having risen to the surface, the only effective volume whichis contained by the tubes will be confined within that depth of Waterfrom the interface of the lower part of the body being floated, with thesurface of the Water and the hingable position 5. So far as floatingequilibrium is concerned, lengths of tubing extending above the surfaceare superfluous but, of course, it does not preclude the use of longertubes and a longer skirt. If the skirt were as long as the conventionalhula skirt, the wearer would rise to the surface more rapidly and theexcess lengths will project above the surface. A strap 6 is shownengaging the crotch of the wearer. The strap is integrally attached tothe belt 2 anteriorly and posteriorily thereof in respect to the body,and serves to provide 'means, additional to the waist-constricting belt2, of preventing the skirt from rising above the waist under the buoyantaction in Water. The strap 6 has lapped-over, rounded edges to preventchafing at the crotch. Alternatively, particularly for children, theskirt will form an integral part of the under garment or bathing suit.The band 2 may be elastic and sewn to the upper waist-engirding aos gsss'3 portion of the under garment 7. A bathing suit 7 may be provided withloops to receive the belt 2 to maintain waist location of the belt andbuoyant tubes 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the hingable, pivotal action of a tubularelement 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper extremity of tube 1 is flattenedand heat-sealed and sandwiched between the overlapping, plastic band 2as shown and heat-sealed thereto. The flattened portion of the tube 1extends below the band 2 to form the hingable portion 5. The flattenedhingable portion 5 is of suflicient extent to permit the inflated tube 1to freely, hingably move from a position of gravitational suspensionthrough a position of buoyant, substantially vertical elevation aboutthe lower extremity of the band 2. without obstruction of the adjacentinflated portion of the tube 1. The flattened portion 5 serves thefollowing functions: it permits of free, hingable movement as described;it provides strength by virtue of lamination; it prevents localelongation, stress, weakening of the walls of the tube. For a singlelayer of tubes as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a flattened portion at 5 of 4mm. is considered a minimum, 7 mm. the optimum and mm. a maximum. Alength of 4 mm. will provide a fairly suitable hingable action but apoor pivotal action and increasing lengths will increase the pivotalaction. The latter action is advantageous to permit freedom of movementand eliminate stress at position 5 when, for example, the wearer fallsinto the water in a horizontal manner.

FIG. 4 shows the detail of an embodiment consisting of a single layer oftubes 1 which are flattened at the upper extremity 8 and heat-sealed tothe waist engirding band 2 which overlaps the flattened extremities ofthe tubes 1, in part, and shows the free, flattened, hingable portionsas at 5. A buckle 3 is shown attached to a strap 9 which is heat-sealedto the waist portion as shown and also a strap 14 to receive the buckle3 and constrict the waist. Slots 11 and 12 are shown cut into the flapportion of the band 2 to receive the buckle 3 and strap 10 respectively.Loops 13 are attached to the flap on the upper side to receive theexcessive length of the strap 19. A crotch-engirding strap 6 is shownattached to the band 2 at 14 and is similarly attached posteriorly ofthe skirt.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a very suitable means whereby two layers oftubes 1 are hingably affixed to form a buoyant skirt. An hermeticallysealed dilated tube of determined length is simply flattened andheat-sealed medially thereof and bent over on itself as shown at 8 andfixably attach-ed to the plastic band 2, which comprises an inner andouter waist band, by heat-sealing with the provision of the flattened,hingable extent as at 5. The hingable action of the tubes is illustratedin phantom. When the skirt does not form an integral part of the wearersunder garment, or bathing suit, a resilient lining olfering moreintimate contact with the waist of the wearer, and more positivegripping may be incorporated as at in of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative method of securing 'two layers of tubes 1 tothe waist-band 2'. The double length of tube 1 is flattened andheat-sealed along the portion 15 and looped over the band 2 andheat-sealed thereto along the intimate extent of contact, leaving theflattened extents 5 which provide free, hingable and pivotal movement ofthe tubes 1 as shown.

FIG. 7 illustrates a buoyant device for males, which device is of ascutiforrn shape and similarly hingable from the waist and consists of aplurality of hollow, pliant, flexible, inflated, hermetically sealed,plastic tubes 1', the upper extremities of which are similarly flattenedand heat-sealed to the band 2 at 8, and having flattened, hingableportions at 5. The band 9 with buckle 3 and the strap it) areheat-sealed to the band 2 over the flattened portions 8. The tubes maybe adhesively superposed over a light-weight, thin covering of cloth asshown at 17. The slit 18 is to minimize movement of the integral unit inwalking and is of a length sufficient to provide that function butinsuiflcient to allow side movement in water when utilized in swimmingas shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 8 is a section through 3'8 of FIG. 7 and shows the tubes 1, thedisjoined medial slit 18 and shows the tubes covered at the back andfront by cloth covering 17. The lower extents of the tubes 1' are leftuncovered to permit free drainage of water.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the preferred method of hingably attachingthe upper extremities of the tubes 1 to the waist-engirding band 2c ofthe devices shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Complete hingable freedom ofmovement is provided by this method and it has additional advantages ofraising the pivotal position in respect to the band 2c and providing abuoyant volume immediately forward of the band 2c as shown along theportion 153 of FIG. 9. The tube 1' of FIG. 9 is flattened andheat-sealed at 20 to which the band 2c is heat-sealed over the intimatesurfaces of contact as shown.

FIG. 10 shows two of the scutate buoyant devices of FIG. 9 attached to achild and illustrates the buoyant action in water. Two such devicesprovide a buoyant balance and. augments buoyancy. The band 2c may beelastic in part, along the sides 21 to fixably locate the band about thewaist.

FIG. 11 illustrates the buoyant action of one of the devices of FIGS. 9and 10. The wearer can simply flip the device downwardly in water andarch forwardly to assume the swimming position of FIG. 12. In thehorizontal position, the buoyant volume provided as at 19 of FIG. 9 bythe hingable method of FIG. 9, provides additional buoyancyimmediatelyin front of the waistband 20 to compensate in part, for the upwardbuoyant force at the lower trunk of the body. The natural tendency ofthe legsrof a swimmer to sink in water is obviated by the lower 30percent of the device of FIG. 12 at 22 and the remainder provides aresultant buoyant vector at hip level. Swimming action of the armsprovides the balance and swimming is greatly facilitated. To rest inwater, the wearer can merely roll over chest upward or force his legsdownward and the position of FIG. 11 is automatically assumed.

Concerning all of the embodiments shown in the drawings, it will beobserved that the diameters of the hollow, inflated tubes 1 are minor inrespect to the lengths of the tubes 1 and resistance resulting infalling, jumping, diving or being impelled into the water is negligibleor nil and one can make a running dive into Water with ease and come upnaturally, with the upper part of the body foremost.

The buoyant tubes 1 comprising the skirt of FIG. 1 may be longer orshorter than that illustrated. The following table provides thepertinent data relative to the buoyant, water-displacing volume requiredto provide flotation in water for children of various ages and the tubediameters and lengths which may be used to provide the requisitebuoyancy. It will be observed that in the table, the waist girth,together with the diameter of the tube 1, determines the number of tubesthat can be contiguously arrayed about the waist in one row and thatthis is a minimum. Encirclement of the body closer to the hips willpermit of a greater number and also greater effective lengths to thesurface of the water.

Two of the devices of FIG. 10 having a length extending from thecervicle to the waist and a width approximately equal to the widthacross the waist and having a diameter of 2 centimeters, will provideflotation for a child.

The tubes forming the skirt of FIG. 1 may be joined laterally at thefront by a plastic band to provide the functional equivalent of thedevice of FIG. 7 as used in FIG. 12 for swimming. Adults may find itappropriate to wear the buoyant skirt of FIG. 1 at hip level, but fortots, waist location or constriction is necessary or advisable in orderto provide buoyant action above the center of buoyancy of the body.

Although the tubular elements 1 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 are shown asindependent, the skirt may be comprised of a continuous length ofplastic tubing, intermittently flattened and heat-sealed as at in FIGS.5 and 6, in which case, the suspended elements will be doubled.

A very suitable plastic for the purposes of this invention is extrudedpolyvinylchloride with additives to provide fungus resistance and asmall degree of elasticity.

to form a free, pilant hinge, a second waist-encircling band overlyingsaid flattened portions fixably attached to said first waist band; meansto restrict said waist bands about the waist of the wearer, said buoyantelements moveable, in totality, from a position of gravitationalsuspension out of water, to a position of buoyant elevation in waterthrough substantially 180.

2. In an article of apparel to provide buoyancy for DisplacementEquivalent Knee length- Volurue Buoyancy Two Rows Tube: D=1.0 cm.Average Waist Cervical Weight Male and Female Weight, Girth, to Waist,of Head Single Double Single Double Age, Years Pounds Ceuti-GentiandNeck, Row: D= Row: D: Row: D: Row: D= Total meters meters Pounds1.5 cm. 1.0 cm. 1.5 cm. 1.0 cm. Buoy Body ancy, Weight, Pounds PercentCubic Centimeters Pounds 29 52 21. 6 2. 28 1, 330 l, 760 2. 92 2. 88 5.82 33 53 22. 9 2. 60 1, 430 1, 930 3. l5 4. 24 6. 36 19. 3 37 54 24. 22. 96 1, 550 2,080 3. 44 4. 58 6. 87 18. 5 42 56 25. 4 3. 36 l, 660 2,220 3. 66 4. 88 7. 32 17. 4 48 57 26. 7 3. 85 1, 800 2, 400 3. 96 5. 287. 92 16. 5 52 58 27. 2 4. 16 1, 890 2, 500 4. 15 5. 52 8. 28 15. 9 5859 28. 2 4. 65 1, 960 2, 620 4. 32 5. 76 8. 64 14. 9 64 60 29. 2 5. 102, 060 2, 740 4. 55 6. 04 9. 06 14. 2 72 61 30. 0 5. 75 2, 160 2, 880 4.76 6. 36 9. 54 13. 2 80 62 31. 0 6. 40 2, 270 3, 020 5. 00 6. 64 9. 9612. 5

The inflated, tubular elements are best made by hermetfemale children inwater, which device simulates an ically sealing one end of a plastictube of considerable length and dilating the entire tube by inflationfrom the opposite end. The tube is then alternately constricted andflattened at determined, spaced-apart positions and heat sealed. Thesealed, constricted portions are cut centrally across and form thebottom of the tubes; the flattened portions are cut centrally across andhave flattened extents suflicient to form the freely hingable function,the remainder providing the fixed surface of attachment.

It will be noted that the device of FIG. 1 is also a garment and may beembellished, for example, with fibrous strands and that although theembodiments shown are described with particularity, a method ofproviding buoyancy is involved, and minor changes in the structuresshown may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a buoyant device to provide buoyancy to the wearer in Water,consisting of a first waist-engird-ing band, a plurality of plastic,tubular, inflated, hermetically sealed, elongated, buoyant elementshaving upper and lower extremities, said upper extremities beingflattened wall to wall and fixably attached to said first waist bandwith a portion of each of said upper flattened extremities being free ofsaid waist band and depending therefrom and interconnecting said tubularelements to said first waistband Hawaiian hula skirt consisting of awaist band adapted to engird the body of the wearer medially thereof anda lower skirt portion comprising a multiplicity of contiguous, elongatedstrand elements attached to and suspended from said waist band, theimprovement, consisting of an inner and outer waist band, said elongatedelements being pliant, hermetically sealed plastic tubes, the upperextremities of :said tubes being flattened wall to wall and positionedbetween said inner and outer waist bands and affixed thereto with aportion of said flattened tubes extending below said waist bands;fastening means to secure said waist bands about the waist of thewearer, a second, adjustable band affixed to said waist bands anddepend, ing therefrom and adapted to engage the crotch of the wearer andprevent upward movement of the waist bands, the flattened portions ofsaid tubes extending below said waist bands providing freely hingablemovement of said tubular elements from the depending position out ofwater to a position of buoyant levity in water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS710,275 Hunt Sept. 30', 1902 1,704,197 Journey Mar. 5, 1929 2,331,302Brown Oct. 12, 1943 2,715,231 Marston Aug. 15, 1955

1. IN A BUOYANT DEVICE TO PROVIDE BUOYANCY TO THE WEARER IN WATER,CONSISTING OF A FIRST WAIST-ENGIRDING BAND, A PLURALITY OF PLASTIC,TUBULAR, INFLATED, HERMETICALLY SEALED, ELONGATED, BUOYANT ELEMENTSHAVING UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES, SAID UPPER EXTREMITIES BEINGFLATTENED WALL TO WALL AND FIXABLY ATTACHED TO SAID FIRST WAIST BANDWITH A PORTION OF EACH OF SAID UPPER FLATTENED EXTREMITIES BEING FREE OFSAID WAIST BAND AND DEPENDING THEREFROM AND INTERCONNECTING SAID TUBULARELEMENTS TO SAID FIRST WAIST BAND TO FORM A FREE, PILANT HINGE, A SECONDWAIST-ENCIRCLING